Antonio, both of which are situated some thousand feet above the sea, in plateaus of this range, had over one hundred thousand head of sheep.

In the valley of San Antonio Mission, which is very warm and dry, figs, peaches, apricots, grapes, apples, quinces, pears and olives, grow in great perfection, and have been cultivated there since 1775. The same fruits will grow in the missions of Soledad and San Juan.

The sides of the sub-valleys of the Coast Range generally abound in the pine, oak, roble, islay, and various other useful trees; the pines are generally those species containing the edible pine-nuts, called by the Spaniards, pinones.

The courses of the rivers and arroyas abound with the sycamore, cottonwood and other trees of similar habits. At least five-eighths of the superficial surface of the county is mountain land, and it is one of the most salubrious districts of country on the face of the earth.

Nothing is more interesting to the intelligent traveler in this country, than the most abundant exhibitions on its surface, and in its geological formations of fossil molusca, of fishes and vartebræ and animals, aqueous and terrestrial. They may be found on the tops of the highest mountains, the flattest plains and the ocean shores. The town site of Monterey, is an immense cemetery of fossiliffera of every kind. A few months ago, in digging a well in the upper part of the town, the tooth of an extinct species of bat or saurian animal was thrown out, of wedge shape, like an arrow-head, measuring three inches in breadth, of a polished blue-black color, and serrated on its two edges like the mandibles of a duck. The beds of indurated clay of the town, used for building, are filled with the remains of what seem to be fresh water molusca; when these beds intervene or occur in the vicinity, no drinkable water has been procured, as yet, from wells. These features in the geology of our county have attained great celebrity and interest from savans in Europe and the United States; but, as yet, the matter has been but slightly investigated.

The Coast Range of mountains which intersect the country from north-west to south-east, also contains great deposits of silver, lead, chrome and mercury Rich and valuable veins of these minerals are found in several places, which will no doubt, in time, become of great value. The argentiferous lead mineral of the Alizal mine is remarkably well situated for working to profit; the ore is easily fusible, as has been proved for twenty years.

The four rivers which intersect the county are the Salinas, the Carmelo, the San Benito and the Pajaro. None of them have ever been properly traced to their source, nor has the county ever been properly delineated on a map; this is an object every day becoming more necessary.

The Indian tribes who inhabited the boundaries of this county when the Spaniards arrived in 1770, were the Mutsunos and Ansaymas, in San Juan Valley; the Kathlendarucas, Sargentarucas and Sackhones who lived in the Mission of Soledad, which occupies a position midway in the length of the Salinas Valley; the Ensenes, Runsenes and Achastas, who occupied the land around the town of Monterey, the valley of the Carmelo and the neighboring mountains; and the Jolones, who were inhabitants of the valley of San Antonio Mission. These tribes were divided into numerous rancherias, whose sites may be seen at this day, not only around the town of Monterey, but in every valley of the county-near the coast by abundance of sea-shells, and in the plains by remains of mortars, arrow-heads, etc. On the line of the sea, the Indians lived on whale flesh, fish, aulones and muscles; off the coast, on deer meat, geese, elk, acorns, oat and grass seeds and pinones. The Indians of these missions, numbers of whom are still living, all assimilate in features; color, reddish brown; head, broad and bulging; hair, lank, coarse and black, and coming down low over the forehead; thick lips; iris of the eye, mahogany color; always with good teeth; figure squat, and seldom ex

ceeding five feet six inches in hight. There are probably left in the country, at present, of all these Indians, not more than two hundred souls, young and old, male and female-the most of whom live on ranchos with the owners of land, or hang around the neighborhood of the old missions. The same missions-or the county-contained 3,261 Indians in 1802: in 1845 they had decreased to 1,828 souls. In 1791 the only two missions within the present county boundaries, San Antonio and Carmelo, contained 3,593 horn cattle and 2,913 sheep. In 1831, the priests of these missions reported to the Government of Mexico that they had-cattle, 20,719; horses, 3,000; sheep, 27,775. The old settlers say, however, that they had four times the number of stock at the time, but were afraid of the government officials of Mexico."

Agricultural Products.-Wheat, 2,861 acres, 28,610 bushels; barley, 2,544 acres, 76,428 bushels; oats, 65 acres, 3,900 bushels; corn, 43 acres, 430 bushels; buckwheat, 40 acres, 400 bushels; beans, 300 acres, 6,000 bushels; potatoes, 980 acres, 245,000 bushels; hay, 2,687 acres, 4,030 tuns; butter, 20,000 pounds; cheese, 30,000 pounds; eggs, 3,000 dozen.

Fruit Trees-Apple, 1,204; peach, 775; pear, 1,243; cherry, 91; plum, 113; apricot, 33; quince, 20; fig, 30; olive, 60; almond, 40; walnut, 20; nectarine, 5; strawberry vines, 25,000; grape vines, 50,000.

At the mission of San Juan there is a fine orchard of pear and apple trees. The orchard at the mission of Carmelo contains a number of pear trees, in fine bearing condition. In San Antonio there are several huertas, or gardens, containing many varieties of tropical fruits, such as apricots, figs, olives, pomegranates, etc., besides grapes, quinces, apples and pears. In Soledad there is a vineyard, containing about six thousand grape vines, which bear abundantly.

Live Stock.-Horses, (American,) 231, (Spanish, tame,) 2,283; (Spanish, wild,) 3,711, Half-breeds,) 130—total number of horses, 6,355; mules, 255; asses, 27; cows, (American,) 1,096, (Spanish, tame,) 2,675, (Half-breeds,) 264; calves, 2,300; stock cattle, (American,) 1,342, (Spanish,) 41,726, (Halfbreed,) 1,380; oxen, (American,) 108, (Spanish,) 353-total number of cattle, 51,244; sheep, (American,) 31,220, (Spanish,) 43,119-total number of sheep, 74,339; goats, 400; hogs, 1,609; poultry, 7,166.

Wool. The product of this county, for 1858, amounts to 190,000 pounds, mostly of a superior quality of French and Spanish Merinos, crossed with the American and Spanish breeds. The wool trade is evidently destined, and at no distant period, to be the great wealth of this county, as the climate and lands are admirably adapted to sheep raising, and a number of the residents are devoting considerable attention to the increase and improvement of their stock.

Manufactories.-Saw mills, 1-steam; capacity per day, 20,000 feet; cost of construction, $10,000. The lumber from this mill is said to be superior for street planking and bridging, being tough and durable; it sells readily and commands the highest prices.

Ferries and Roads.-Ferries, 3; value, $3,500; roads, 1. The turnpike road through the Pacheco Pass is four miles in length, and is one of the most traveled thoroughfares in the State; cost of construction, $5,000.

Mineral Resources.-The mineral resources of the county are important. Silver, copper and lead exist in several localities. The "Aurora" quicksilver mine situated in this county is now being worked with every indication of yielding handsome returns to its proprietors.

Granite. The granite quarry at Carmelo has yielded large quantities of stone, which has been principally used in the construction of the Government Works at San Francisco Bay. Number of men employed, 20.

Whale Fisheries.*-There are three different companies engaged in the whale fisheries at Monterey Bay and vicinity. Number of men employed, 40. Finances, May 1, 1858.-Funded debt, $54,291 33, seven per cent.; cash in treasury, $6,817 86; actual debt, $47,473 47; receipts for past fiscal year, $11,957 16; expenditures, same period, $8,183 22; amount of taxable property, $1,143,534.

Attorneys.-Monterey: D. R. Ashley, H. G. Blankman, D. S. Gregory, Josiah Merritt, John Burke Phillips, James A. Watson; San Juan: Geo. W. Crane, B. F. Dennison.

Physicians.-Monterey: J. B. Callaghan, H. G. Canfield, W. H. McKee, Ignacio Olarte; San Juan: J. A. McDougall, W. Strong, James Webb.

Napa County, organized, 1850. Boundaries: North by Mendocino, east by Solano, south by bay of San Pablo and west by Sonoma.

Topography. The advantages possessed by this county as an agricultural district are not surpassed by any other in the State. The soil and climate are well adapted to the cultivation of almost every description of agricultural produce and the different varieties of fruit. The number of acres assessed two hundred and fifty-six thousand eight hundred and twenty; nearly all of

*For a description of the operations of these companies, see p. 286.

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which are adapted for agricultural or grazing purposes. In cultivation, thirty-six thousand six hundred and sixty acres.

Legal Distances.-From Sacramento, sixty miles; from Stockton, one hundred miles, and from San Quentin, fifty-five miles.

Seventh Judicial District.-Hon. Edward W. McKinstry, Judge District Court. Sessions, first Monday in February, June and October.

County Courts.-Terms County Court: Second Monday in March and July, and first Monday in November. Probate Court: Third Monday in March and July, and second Monday in November. Court of Sessions: First Monday in April, August and December.

Tenth Senptorial District.-Senator: Hon. H. Griffith; term expires January, 1860.

Member of Assembly.-Hon. W. B. Matthews.

Agricultural Resources.-This county is progressing rapidly in all the elements of agricultural prosperity. With a soil and climate unsurpassed, it is destined to take rank with the first agricultural districts of this State. Products: Wheat, 16,000 acres, 500,000 bushels; barley, 5,000 acres, 150,000 bushels; oats, 2,000 acres, 50,000 bushels; corn, 2,000 acres, 50,000 bushels; peas, 100 acres, 2,500 bushels; beans, 50 acres, 1,000 bushels; potatoes, 300 acres, 15,000 bushels; onions, 20 acres, 4,000 bushels; hay, 5,000 acres, 5,000 tuns; broom corn, 40 acres, 125,000 pounds; butter, 125,000 pounds; cheese, 25,000 pounds.

Fruit Culture.-Every variety of fruit flourishes well. Some of the finest specimens produced last season, were from this county. Fruit Trees: Apple, 35,000; peach, 35,000; pear, 2,000; plum, 1,300; cherry, 1,817; nectarine, 2,000; quince, 500; apricot, 1,800; fig, 200; aloe, 40; lemon, 50; orange, 35; almond, 50; walnut, 38; strawberry vines, 100,000.

Manufacture of Wine.-The grape is extensively cultivated. The soil and climate appear well adapted for the different varieties. Number of vines, 90,000. Wine manufactured in 1858, 1,000 gallons.

Live Stock.-Horses, (American,) 800; (Spanish, tame,) 1,200; (Spanish, wild.) 2,800-total number of horses, 4,800; mules, 600; asses, 12; cows, 12,950; calves, 8,000; stock cattle, (yearlings,) 7,421; beef cattle, 3,000; oxen, 1,000-total number of cattle, 32,371; sheep, 11,515; goats, 100; hogs, 9,275; poultry, 60,000

Manufactures.-Grist mills, 5-water, 3, steam, 2; total run of stone, 10; cost of erection, $75,000; saw mills, 6-water, 4, steam, 2; cost of erection, $20,000.

Mineral Resources.-There are numerous mineral springs. The White Sulphur Springs, eighteen miles, and the Soda Springs, six miles from Napa City, are celebrated for their powerful medicinal qualities. They are annually visited by a large number of people from every section of the State. Borax.* The Borax Lake, recently discovered, is a valuable addition to

*For a description of the Borax Lake, see p. 273.

the wealth of this county, and is now yielding considerable quantities of this mineral.

Glass Mountain.-The mountain of glass, discovered in 1857, is situated a few miles from Napa City. The material of which the mountain is formed, possesses, apparently, all the characteristics of glass, and it is said, can be made available for the manufacture of that article. Up to the present time, no machinery has been erected to test its practical value.

Finances, May, 1858.-Funded debt, $23,000, ten per cent. interest; floating, $10,000; total debt, $33,000. Receipts for past fiscal year, $12,000; expenditures same period, $15,000. Assessed value of property, $3,015,911.

Attorneys.-Napa City: Richard Dudding, Henry Edgerton, C. Hartson, R. D. Hopkins, Johnson Horrell, C. W. Langdon, J. D. Lillard, J. E. Pond, A. Thomas, G. W. Towle; St. Helena: J. W. Smith.

Physicians.-Napa City: E. B. Eaton, Harvey Johnson, D. K. Rule, W. W. Stillwagon; St. Helena: J. T. Brown, L. G. Lillie, O. P. Stoll; Yountville: J. R. Mathews.

XX. NEVADA COUNTY.

COUNTY SEAT-NEVADA.

Nevada County, organized 1851. Boundaries: North by Yuba and Sierra, east by Utah Territory, south by Placer and west by Sutter.

Topography. The principal part of this county is mountainous and covered with extensive forests of pine, oak, buckeye, sycamore, maple, fir, alder, spruce, cedar, etc. The staples are gold and lumber, though there are considerable quantities of grain, vegetables, etc. produced upon the lands in the valleys and flats which yield abundantly. The extensive veins of quartz which abound in different sections, have yielded large sums of gold, and the extensive placer diggings are not excelled in richness by those of any other district in the State. The area of the county is estimated at one thousand